Amy Krzanik reports from Sheffield. The community spirit was strong on Saturday, August 31 as volunteers and guests gathered on Dewey Hall's back lawn to celebrate WBCR'sWilderness Song fundraiser. The local radio station broadcasts from Great Barrington on 97.7fm and is a volunteer-based, noncommercial enterprise. The crowd bonded over delicious food donated by local eateries like Bizen, Castle Street Cafe, Riverbend Cafe, and Rubiner's, then moved inside for the night's entertainment. Singer/songwriter Dan Bern performed the film's soundtrack live, in the guise of Everett Ruess. Bern penned the songs for the film using the letters, essays, and poems Ruess left behind. Post-concert, guests enjoyed dessert and coffee, then settled in to watch Wilderness Song. Lindsay Jaeger's film tells the story of Everett Ruess, a young artist, writer and hiker who mysteriously disappeared in the Utah wilderness in 1934. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward funding the station, in conjunction with the fund drive running September 9-14. (Pictured L to R: Musician Dan Bern and WBCR radio host and benefit director Jeanne Bassis)
WBCR Board Vice President Peter Levine, Board Member Serene Mastrianni, and Board President Michael Wise; Jeanne and Alan Berman, from West Hartford, who celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary by attending the event.
Megan McDiarmid and friend Alex Pincus; Ilene Cutler, Gail Golderman, Rochelle Goldfarb, and Paula Lockson.
Peter Levine, Ellen Croibier, and Richard Goldberg enjoy SoCo Creamery ice cream; Lourdez Mendoza and Julia Antunez.
Elissa Singer Williams and Richard Zimmerman; Steve Kaufman, Frannie Licata, Rabbi Kaya Stern-Kaufman, and Lainey Harris.
Deisy and Martha Escobar; John Prusinski and Anna Prusinski.
Dan Bern performing as Everett Ruess; Dewey Hall.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
